Sleigh-knee.



No1 350.893, PATENTBD APR. 2s, 1907.

E. n. BARTON; A. T. HUGKSTBAD.

` SLEIGH KNEE. AFPLIUATION FILED AUG. 19'06 6W 19g/M.

A TTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENTA OFFIOE.

CONSIN; SAIDV HUCKSTEAD ASSIGNOR TO SAID BARTON.

SLElGH-KNEE.

Specicationof Letters Patent.

Patented April 23, 1907.

Application fiiearugua 6,1906. Seriallicszaees.

T0 (tu wiz/0m t may concern.'

Be it known that we, EDWARD D. BARTON Aand ALONZO T. HUOKSTEAD, citizens of the provide a sleigh-knee of simple and inex-y pensive construction which is easy to apply and is thoroughly reliable and substantial.

A further object of the invention is the employment of a simple form of spindle and a locking or fastening means for retaining the knee-standard thereon and preventing relative axial movement.

Another Objectis the provisionof a s ring suspension for the body of the sleigh w ereby. the springs are attached to the knees, so that the weight of the vehicle acts directly on the standards.

With these objects in view and others, as will appear las the nature of the invention is better understood, the invention comprises the various novel features of construction and arrangement of parts to be fully described hereinafter and set forth with particularity in the accompanying claims.

In the accom anying drawings, which illustrate one of t e embodiments of the in vention, Figure k1 is a front view of the front bob of a sleigh, showing parts in section. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the axle-spindles. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the combined spring-supports and keys or locking members for holding the kneestandard on the spindle; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a locking member adapted for use on a bob employed without a spring suspension. Fig. 5 is a perspective View of a modi` lied form of combined spring-support and locking member, the same being adapted for use with a double-sprinor suspension.

Corresponding parts -in the several iigures are indicated throughout by similar charac ters of reference.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates one of the axles of a sleigh, 2 the runners, and

3 the knee-standards for supporting the runners on the axle. The upper end of each standard is enlarged in a transverse plane to form a head 4, which is bifurcated. The bifurcations 5 are bored horizontally to form journal-bearings 6 for the spindle 7 of the axle. The portion of the spindle that lies intermediate the bifurcations 5 is of angular cross-section. This intermediate portion 8 is preferably formed by the cutting away of the spindle and is hence of less cross-sectional dimension' than the end portions 9 of the spindle, so as to permit of the standard sliding on and off of the latter. Cooperating with the square or angular portion of each spindle is a locking member or key 10 in the form of a cap of I J-shaped cross-section, so as to fit vertically over the said portion 8 and 4engage between the shoulders formed at the ends of said reduced portion of the spindle. The member 10 is disposed between the bifurcations 5, and its ends engage with the latter, so as to prevent relatively axial or longitudinal movement between the spindle and the standard. The locking member 10 and angular portion 8 are provided with registering openings 11 for receiving bolts 12 to removably hold the parts in assembled position.

In a sleigh construction in which springs are not employed the simple form of locking member shown in Fig. 4 is preferably used. For adapting the invention for use in connection With a single-spring suspension the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 3 is employed. In this case the locking member is cast with an upwardly-extending arm 13, which forms a support to which one end of the spring 14 is attached. The upper end of each arm 13 is bifurcated and provided with an eye 15, having its axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle, and the adjacent end lof the transverse spring 14 is suspended by means of a shackle 16, pivotally connected to the spring and arm 13. This affords sufficient flexibility for enabling the body of the sleigh to rise and fall While traveling over rough places in the road without discomfort to the occupant. Any suitable fth-wheel or other construction will be employed for supporting the body on the spring or springs.

In Fig. 5 a locking member is shown having two instead of one radially-extending arms. These arms 17 extend horizontally to IOO the front and rear of each locking member, and each arm is provided with apertured lugs or ears 1S on its bottom for receiving the pintle 19, supporting the shackle 19. Two transversely-extending springs are employed in this connection for supporting the body, and the ends of the springs are bolted to shackles 19. It will be noted that in both of the spring suspensions described the weight of the vehicle is brought to bear at a point directly over the standards or runners. This is obviously the most advantageous distribution of the weight.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the advantages of the construction will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art to which the invention appertai'ns. Vhile the standards are securely held on their respective spindles, they can swing back and forth on the latter to accommodate the runners to the variations in the contour of the road. y

Ve have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the apparatus which we now consider to be the best embodiment thereof; but we desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is merely illustrative and that various changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the invention.

1, The combination of an axle-spindle having spaced shoulders, a knee having bearings engaging the spindle on opposite sides of the shoulders, a retaining device fitted between the shoulders, and a bolt passing through the spindle and device for removably holding the latter in place.

2. The combination of an axle-spindle having an intermediate portion of reduced and angular cross-section, a knee-standard having spaced bearings engaging the spindle on opposite sides of said angular portion, a device itted between the bearings and rigidly attached to the angular portion to hold the standard on the spindle, and a fastening extending through the device and spindle for securing the same together.

3. The combination of an axle-spindle having separate portions of cylindrical and angular cross-section, a knee-standard mounted v`on the portion of circular cross-section to have a turning movement thereon, a member fitted over the angular portion to prevent the spindle from moving out of the standard and forming the sole means for holding the standard and spindle together, and devices extending through the member and angular portion of the spindle for retaining the member in place.

4. The combination of an axle-spindle having separate portions of cylindrical and square cross-section, a knee-standard mounted on the portion of circular cross-section to have a turning movement thereon, a member of U-shaped cross-section fitted over the angular portion from one side thereof, and devices rigidly connecting the U-shaped member to the spindle for preventing relative axial movement of the spindle and standard and holding the latter on the spindle.

5. The combination of a spindle having an intermediate portion of angular cross-section, a bifurcated standard having bored perforations engaging the spindle on opposite sides of the angular portion, a locking member fitted over the angular portion and engaging at its ends the bifurcations, and bolts lex-l tending through the locking member and said angular portion of the spindle.

6. The combination of a body-supporting spring, an axle spindle, a knee standard mounted on the spindle, a device for forming the sole means for retaining the standard on the spindle, a bolt passing through the de-L vice and spindle, and a shackle for supporting the spring on the said device.

7. The combination of a body-supporting` spring, an axle-spindle having a reduced portion forming spaced shoulders, a knee-stand,

ard mounted on the spindle, a locking member secured to the spindle between its shoulders for holding the standard thereon and. provided with a radially-extendingarm, and.

a shackle for attaching the spring to the arm.

ln testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we have hereto affixed our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

Witnesses:

V. A. MoGiLvnAY, ROBT. E. BooHM. 

